BNA participates in OANA general assembly in South Korea

Seoul, Nov. 7 (BNA): Bahrain News Agency (BNA) is participating in the 17th general assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) held in Seoul on November 6-9. The general assembly, hosted by the Korean News Agency (YONHAP), is held under the theme "New Challenges for Journalism: Technological Innovations and Issues of Trust." BNA's delegation comprises Director General Abdullah Khalil Buhijji and Chief of Digital Media Abdulrahman Khamees Al Rumaihi. "BNA is always keen to participate in such events that provide a significant platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences and for strengthen cooperation among OANA member agencies," Buhijji said. "This participation aims to promote and develop various work approaches that highlight the core messages of the national media and the various achievements accomplished by the Kingdom of Bahrain led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister." Buhijji stressed that the theme for the general assembly focused on new challenges, kept up with technological innovations and enhanced confidence building, especially with the increasing frequency of fake and inaccurate news. The directives of Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi highlight the significance of enhancing trustworthy media's engagement in order to provide genuine information with high levels of transparency, credibility and clarity in an era characterized by the challenges of the rapidly changing media landscape, technological advances, numerous media devices and platforms and deluge of fake news, he added. BNA is also participating in the co-located exhibition of photographs, taken by BNA photographers, that reflect the spirit of Bahrain's traditional and modern cultures. As we are all well aware, various technological innovations and the growing power of social networking services have created a rapid-changing media landscape. Technological advances often challenge the role of media organizations and demand fast changes to try to meet different needs of audiences who are consuming news content through many new media devices and platforms now available. In addition, the media industry is confronted with another big challenge in having to restore public trust, which has been damaged by a deluge of fake news and misinformation.